Duluth trading

[The Wall]

Have you told them of you concerns?

[JRG]

I must confess I know almost nothing about Duluth clothing other than what I've seen on TV or on the occasional billboards. I am amazed that they replace clothing that long after purchase.

Joe

[txglock21]

Back a year or two ago when I checked in to buying some of their pants and underwear, I just could not justify paying that much for clothes (no matter how good they are.) At the time, I could buy 3 or 4 pair of Wrangler jeans for what they were asking for one pair of theirs. Even more on their underwear. Needless to say, I never bought anything from them. This is not to slam them or anything, but I would rather buy several for the same price as just one. YMMV

[Jusme]

I have been a fan of duluth clothing for many years now, once I got past my initial skepticism- it just seemed ridiculous to spend that much on a pair of britches.
I have now been wearing both firehose work pants and long tail polos exclusively for the better part of 3 years, with actual suits being needed 2-3 times a month at most.
Their warranty has been outstanding, but it seems that recently it has been needed more and more. I just boxed up 4 shirts and 4 pants for exchange, and looking at my return label - I just replaced these in March (I keep 8/8 just so I can rotate my exchanges).
The black shirts have faded heavily and 3 of the pants have holes while the 4th has shrank asymmetrically (one leg is tight).
While the warranty is great it seems like quality has definitely changed. I admit, I am hard on clothes- and the problems (other than crooked britches) are not catastrophic I would expect better. I try to maintain a neat appearance and it is not uncommon for me to climb off of a skid loader or peel off bunker gear and go straight to city hall or the court house.

Has anyone else noticed a change? Im not ready to jump ship yet, but I would be pressed to sing their praises like I used to.

I don't have the facts to back it up, but Duluth Trading used to make all of their clothing in Duluth. They began outsourcing the manufacturing to other countries, at about the same time they began massive national advertising. I would suspect that their demand and output increased to the point that quality control, has begun to suffer. Carhartt, has some of the same issues now that they no longer manufacture their products here. They haven't lowered their prices, depending on the name recognition, and warranty. JMHO

[txglock21]

The warranty, if used and abused, makes the price a non issue - provided you can comfortably absorb the initial cost.
Pay 60 dollars for pants.
6 months- 1 year, replace them under warranty you now have 60 dollars in 2 pair = $30
6 months - 1 year, replace them under warranty, you now have $20 in them
6 months - 1 year, replace them under warranty - =$15

If that works for you, great. Myself, I could take that same $60 and go buy 3 pair of $20 Wranglers. Being a supervisor now, mostly in the office, instead of working "out in the field" like before, jeans last longer for me now.

[The Annoyed Man]

I've been buying from Duluth for maybe a couple of years now, and have had no complaints. It is true that their pants and unmentionables are pricey, but they seem extremely well made to me - compared to cheaper wranglers and levis. But at my age and level of activity, and being retired now, I don't stress my pants out the way someone else might ........unless you count passing gas as stressful to pants, in which case I might be in the major leagues.

Although I have lost a lot of weight in the past year and a half, I am still what Il Ling New at Gunsite Academy calls "sectionally dense" (see video below), and I really appreciate Duluth's Men's Armachillo Extra Long Boxer Briefs — the perfect undergarment for big men who sweat. Yes, they cost a lot more than a cheap pair of boxers, but they last, and they are comfortable.

https://youtu.be/ASvqJovLaRw?t=10m9s

[PUCKER]

I've got an undershirt and a few pair of under britches from Duluth. Fully satisfied with them.

[MechAg94]

I don't have the facts to back it up, but Duluth Trading used to make all of their clothing in Duluth. They began outsourcing the manufacturing to other countries, at about the same time they began massive national advertising. I would suspect that their demand and output increased to the point that quality control, has begun to suffer. Carhartt, has some of the same issues now that they no longer manufacture their products here. They haven't lowered their prices, depending on the name recognition, and warranty. JMHO

I noticed that Carhardt T-shirts I have used for the last 5 years or so have changed. When I bought them they were solid cotton shirts that lasted very well. In the last couple years, I noticed the material has changed and they don't last as well.

[The Wall]

I like their commercials, but don't own any clothing by them. I wear mostly Hanes Beefy-T with pocket, and Hanes boxer briefs. The Beefy-T is the best T-shirt I've owned since I was a kid and JC Penney Town Craft made a good product. Not the case now.

[TexasJohnBoy]

My input is simply on spending a little extra for clothes, I've never gotten Duluth clothes but I have been tempted.
I recently started wearing Under Armour HeatGear compression shirts as my undershirt. I thought spending that much ($25 each) on undershirts was insane, but the shirts I was wearing were getting super hot and I wanted something I could wear under a regular tshirt on non-work days so I could carry IWB and not have it rubbing my waist all day. All I can say is WOW. I have no issue spending that much on quality clothing now.
I also swapped all my underwear for Adidas Climacool boxer briefs, without hesitation ($20-$25 for two pairs). I am so much more comfortable in the Texas heat with better underclothes.

So, I'm sorry I can't contribute directly to the original topic, but I wanted to stick in my $.02 on $25 undergarments

I'll watch the thread for feedback on Duluth as well

[Jeff B.]

My sons and SIL's love their undershorts... One of them, a former baseball player had a habit of blowing out his boxers and says the Duluth Boxers can't be beat (and don't blow out!) I've found that their socks are really durable. Unfortunately, the socks I really liked (in "oatmeal" to go with my khakis) are discontinued. I'll try some other types to see if I can find a suitable replacement at Duluth. I haven't worn any of the half dozen pairs out so I've never tried a return. Honestly, with the amount I wear them, when they go, I'll toss them and consider them worn out.

Jeff B.